fluorescence — 1852, glowing in ultraviolet light, coined by English mathematician and physicist Sir George G. Stokes (1819 1903) from fluorspar (see FLUORINE (Cf. fluorine)), because in it he first noticed the phenomenon, + ESCENCE (Cf. escence), on analogy of … Etymology dictionary

fluorescence — ► NOUN 1) light emitted by a substance when it is exposed to radiation such as ultraviolet light or X rays. 2) the property of emitting light in this way. ORIGIN from FLUORSPAR(Cf. ↑F) (which fluoresces), on the pattern of opalescence … English terms dictionary

fluorescence — [flo͞o΄ə res′əns] n. [&LT; FLUOR(SPAR) + ESCENCE] 1. the property of a substance, such as fluorite, of producing light while it is being acted upon by ultraviolet rays, X rays, or other forms of radiant energy 2. the production of such light 3.… … English World dictionary

Fluorescence — Fluorescent minerals emit visible light when exposed to ultraviolet light Fluorescence is the emission of light by a substance that has absorbed light or other electromagnetic radiation of a different wavelength.[1] It is a form of luminescence.… … Wikipedia